Chapter 39: The Prodigy Descends the Mountain!

After Su Mu left Zhang Huai-mou, he went straight back to the hotel.

He hadn’t expected Zhang Huai-mou’s wish for a second collaboration with him. Back when he gifted him a song, it was simply out of consideration—if Qian Ji-da couldn’t find a suitable crew, Su Mu could ask Zhang Huai-mou for introductions. Who would have thought he’d receive a new script directly?

Of course, the fever surrounding "Frenzy" hadn’t yet died down. Even if he and Zhang Huai-mou seized the moment for a second partnership, they’d have to wait until the promotional period for "Frenzy" ended before Zhang Huai-mou could assemble a new team. But as he'd said before, the start of any show is a journey from nothing to something. Now, the measure was whether that "something" was worthy.

If the script was truly good, Su Mu would consider working with Zhang Huai-mou again. If not, unless Zhang Huai-mou offered him a starting salary of fifty million, he’d definitely refuse. There was nothing more to it. He just wanted to make money.

…

In the hotel room.

Qian Ji-da was surprised, "Director Zhang really wants to work with you again?"

Su Mu replied, "Yes, but we have to see if the script is any good. If it’s not even as good as our company’s own investment, then I’ll definitely refuse."

Qian Ji-da agreed, "Exactly. Either don’t act at all, or dominate the stage and show them what a compelling historical romance is. Let Li Xin-jie and Li Hui see that it’s not that we don’t fight for the company’s resources—it’s just that we don’t care for them."

Su Mu continued, "As for variety shows, I’ve thought it over. As long as the appearance fee is right and the schedules don’t clash, I can accept both shows."

Qian Ji-da nodded, "Leave it to me. I’ll handle the arrangements."

After discussing a few workflow details, Qian Ji-da returned to his own room.

Only then did Su Mu take out the folder Zhang Huai-mou had given him. He was genuinely curious—what kind of story would earn the favor of such a renowned director in the realm of historical dramas?

He pulled out the neatly bound stack inside and began to read.

Title: None

Synopsis: A scroll of clouds and wind—the Langya List—gathers the world’s rare talents. The Kirin genius, Mei Chang-su, unrivaled in intellect, uses his frail body to unravel layers of intrigue and outwit treacherous courtiers, seeking to clear old injustices and support a new sovereign…

Chapter One: Jinling, capital of the Great Liang Empire…

[Script Proficiency +1]
[Script Proficiency +1]
[Skill Points +0.01…+0.01…]

Su Mu read the script attentively. Parameters flickered through his mind, but he paid them no heed. The story stirred something deep within him.

Familiar, deeply familiar.

It was just like a few months ago when he read the script for "Frenzy," his memories from his past life sharpening as the story unfolded.

No wonder Zhang Huai-mou guarded it like a treasure. No wonder he was so confident that he could claim a share of the market when next year’s historical romance dramas descended into chaos.

With this script, it might not necessarily set the absolute benchmark, but it would utterly outshine every other brainless historical romance in this world—effortlessly, mercilessly.

Though the script didn’t mention names, seeing the words "Kirin genius Mei Chang-su," Su Mu immediately pictured the face of his idol, Hu Ge.

In his previous life, in 2015, a high-rated historical romance swept all major streaming platforms. It was called "Nirvana in Fire."

He remembered it had been adapted from an online novel by Hai Yan, a writer from Qidian. Su Mu remembered so clearly because he had been an avid reader himself. Back then, online literature was just gaining traction, and the industry was still debating its value, so adaptations were often controversial.

"Nirvana in Fire" became one of the most successful examples of web novel adaptations. Its plot began with the protagonist returning under a new identity for revenge, but the seemingly simple revenge arc was written in such an intricately interwoven way that every twist was exhilarating. It matched the audience’s appetite for fast-paced drama, while weaving together story, character, and the complexities of human nature under political intrigue in a masterful way.

No wonder it was so widely acclaimed.

It was not the mindless romance of typical historical dramas, nor the action-packed but detail-less fare where everyone meets only to kill. Every scene, every setup and foreshadowing, always brought something fresh and unexpected.

Until the very end, viewers couldn’t help but exclaim in awe at Mei Chang-su’s brilliant schemes.

Though this script in this life differed somewhat from the past, Su Mu could clearly tell—it was "Nirvana in Fire."

He let out a long breath and stretched on the sofa.

Su Mu was thoroughly satisfied.

He hadn’t expected that in this life, he’d have the opportunity to play a role Hu Ge once portrayed.

It would be hard not to become wildly popular again.

Previously, he had considered, if no offers came and he couldn’t join a crew, he’d simply write a few historical romance scripts himself and assemble a team.

After all, there were plenty of genres to write—fantasy, household intrigue, palace drama, tomb-raiding adventures, political power struggles…

Not to mention classics like "Chinese Paladin," or those he hadn’t finished in his previous life, such as "Love Between Fairy and Devil" or "The Long Night." Any of them could make him a king here.

If he had time next year, he could shoot three or four of them.

He should make a killing.

…

Su Mu had planned for a long time.

He knew that once "Frenzy" aired, his value would rise by another ten or twenty million.

But no matter how much money he earned, he needed a solid foundation to make it last. Otherwise, it would be a one-time windfall.

So he had to keep grinding his proficiency.

At present, his acting skills were well-rounded enough to handle most roles.

But acting was only part of his job as an idol star—not the whole.

He might participate in variety shows, or play roles requiring special skills.

Therefore, the more types of proficiency he developed, the better.

[Skill Points: 40.3]

Looking at the panel, Su Mu decided to open a few more mystery boxes.

He still had plenty of skill points, so this time he would try all six categories, just to see what he might get.

Su Mu declared, "Redeem two mystery boxes for each category."

[Prompt: 2 for tasks, 2 for works, 2 for talents, 2 for skills, 2 for items, 2 for attributes.]
[Total cost: 12 skill points.]

"Pay."

[Payment successful. Remaining skill points: 28.3]

Su Mu said, "Open the task boxes first."

[Opening 2 boxes…]
[1: Unfortunately, empty]
[2: Congratulations! New task unlocked]
[Task: After filming wraps, participate in "Frenzy" promotions to showcase your acting and talent. When the series airs, raise your Weibo followers to 20 million and your Douyin account to 10 million!
Reward:
[Item box x1]
[Skill points +5]]

Out of two task boxes, he got one real task.

His luck was pretty good. Last month, when he opened some, the odds were terribly low—all empty.

This time, though the reward wasn’t amazing, it was better than nothing—not a loss.

Participating in "Frenzy" promotions was certain.

Currently, his Weibo followers stood at over 11 million.

Douyin was at 6 million.

Completing the fan growth task through "Frenzy" was something Su Mu was confident about.

Su Mu said, "Continue."

[Opening works box…]